How are we already over a month into 2026? One of our fave authors, Melissa de la Cruz, has already hit the ground running with Sibylline, which is her second release of the year. Featuring a magical university and three aspiring young wizards, we loved this dark academia novel.
Sibylline is the first in a dark fantasy duology. And with that cliffhanger ending, we can already imagine the twists and turns that are sure to plague Raven, Atticus, and Dorian in book two! We can’t get enough of Melissa de la Cruz in this household. Here are three signs that you’ll enjoy reading Sibylline as much as we did!
Book Overview: Sibylline
Content warnings: death, murder, bodies, forced captivity, violence
Summary: Raven, Atticus, and Dorian have dreamed of attending Sibylline for as long as they can remember. But when the magical university rejects them, the friends’ plans for a future studying the arcane together begin crashing down.
Until they decide to steal an education.
Getting jobs on campus, they sneak into lectures and swipe forbidden texts, dodging the administration’s watchful eye. In the quiet of night, in the thrill of secrecy, their magic awakens. And so do long-buried attractions that turn their friendship into something more.
But like magic, love can create, and it can destroy. As unrequited feelings and resentment threaten to fracture their bond, the trio discovers an insidious magic that has sunk its claws into Sibylline, killing students and corroding the very bones of the university. Now the three intruders may be the key to saving the institution from wreckage . . . if they don’t wreck one another first.
You Welcome Rejection
The premise of Sibylline starts with rejection. Raven, Atticus, and Dorian have been denied acceptance into Sibylline, despite their strong gifts and talents. But they don’t let rejection stop them. They each find a place to work on campus and learn how to study and grow their magic in clandestine ways. This trio will meet their goals one way or another, So if you are the type of person to welcome rejection and use it as a way to pivot, this book is right up your alley!
You’d Do Anything For Your Friends
In Sibylline, Raven, Atticus, and Dorian dub themselves the Oneiric Society. They are true ride-or-dies in their schemes to covertly educate themselves in magic. Their abilities only strengthen with their bonds of friendship (and perhaps something deeper than friendship). But when this trio uncovers secrets hidden underneath the university, they risk everything to find the truth. They fiercely protect one another, even casting dangerous spells that could easily go wrong. If you’d ride or die for your friends, then you’d relate to the Oneiric Society perfectly.
You Love Proper Love Triangles
Sibylline alternates between Raven, Atticus, and Dorian’s point of view. At the beginning, they each have unrequited feelings for someone within their trio. Raven has a crush on Atticus, who has feelings for Dorian, who pines after Raven. To make things more tense, the trio is aware of their queer love triangle, yet they won’t address it. As the story continues, they start to realize their growing affections for each other as a group. And the result? Our new favorite fantasy throuple! So if you’re looking for a love triangle where the arrows go both ways, then look no further.
With a magic academy, a dark shadow lurking underneath, and a powerful trio at its center, Sibylline by Melissa de la Cruz kept us on the edge of our seats. We eagerly await its sequel!
Sibylline by Melissa de la Cruz goes on sale February 3rd, and you can order a copy of it here!
What do you think of Melissa de la Cruz’s latest 2026 release? Are you adding Sibylline to your reading list? Let us know on Twitter! You can also find us over on Facebook and Instagram!
Want to hear some of our audiobook recommendations? Here’s the latest!
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